KAI’s Dallas-Fort Worth, TX office proudly announces the promotions of K-12 Market Leader Catherine Dalton, AIA, RID, LEED BD+C to Principal; Civic, Municipal & Cultural Market Leader Brien Graham, AIA, NOMA, NCARB to Principal; Principal – Vice President Derwin Broughton, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, WELL AP to Senior Principal – Vice President; and Principal – Architecture Blaik Ritchie to Senior Principal – Design Operations.
“I would like to congratulate each and every one of these outstanding architects on their recent promotions,” said KAI President Darren L. James, FAIA. “Their leadership, expertise and dedication have helped elevate our Dallas-Fort Worth office and expand KAI’s impact across the region. Catherine, Brien, Derwin and Blaik exemplify the talent, collaboration and commitment that define our culture, and these well-deserved promotions recognize their continued contributions to our firm’s success.”
Catherine Dalton – Principal
An award-winning architect and interior designer, KAI hired Dalton in 2023 as its K-12 Market Leader. Dalton leads KAI’s efforts to deliver innovative design solutions tailored to the unique needs of K-12 learning environments across the region, state and nation. With nearly 20 years of design experience, Dalton has been recognized for her work in education through the Texas Alliance of School Administrators (TASA), Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and various industry publications for her design excellence.
She has a Bachelor of Architecture from Louisiana State University and is LEED AP BD+C certified, with affiliations in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). Catherine also serves on the Spaces4Learning Advisory Council, helping shape conversations around the future of educational facilities and learning environments. Some of her more recent design projects include Dallas Independent School District’s new Seagoville PK-8 Campus; renovation of Fort Worth Independent School District’s Maudrie Walton Elementary and Meacham Middle schools; and renovation of Lamar High School in Houston, TX.
Brien Graham – Principal
Graham joined KAI in February 2024 as a Civic, Municipal & Cultural Market Leader. In his role, Graham develops and executes a strategic vision for civic and cultural design to enhance community engagement and innovation. He also cultivates strong relationships with municipal institutions to drive collaborative projects that reflect community aspirations. An award-winning architect with over 20 years of industry experience, Graham has a variety of design expertise spanning a multitude of industries ranging from higher education, workplace, hospitality, Pre K – 12 and more. Notable projects in his design portfolio include The National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, TX; Dallas County Operations Center in Dallas, TX; and the Aquatics and Recreation Center (ARC) at McCowan Park in DeSoto, TX.
A graduate of the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, Graham is a Registered Architect in Texas and Georgia and has earned the NCARB Certificate. He currently serves on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board Knowledge Committee and is the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) South Region vice president. He recently received the Texas Society of Architects’ Award for Equitable Practice in Architecture which recognizes a single individual member, member’s firm, or component’s program that demonstrates and significantly promotes equity, diversity, and/or inclusion in the practice of architecture in the state of Texas.
Derwin Broughton – Senior Principal – Vice President
Broughton started at KAI in 2013 as a Senior Project Manager before being promoted to Principal in 2019, then to Vice President/Principal in 2023. As a Senior Principal, he is responsible for business development and client relations for the firm’s four business units: Design, Engineering, Build and 360 Construction Services at the firm’s Texas, Georgia and Missouri offices.
Broughton is a citizen architect and community advocate who actively provides leadership on multiple civic boards and community and architectural organizations. Professionally, Broughton has served in various leadership roles with AIA Dallas including chairing the Young Architects Forum and serving on its board as Director of Advocacy. His commitment to the advancement of the profession has afforded him the privilege of serving as Vice President of Advocacy and President of the Texas Society of Architects, the third largest component of the American Institute of Architects. He is also a past president of the Dallas Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA).
A graduate of Clemson University, Broughton was recognized nationally with an AIA Young Architects Award and locally as a Dallas Business Journal 40 Under 40. He is a published author and sought-after speaker, regularly contributing to articles in industry publications and speaking about architecture’s role in community advocacy and transformation.
Blaik Ritchie – Senior Principal – Design Operations
Ritchie joined KAI in March 2025 as Principal of Architecture. An award-winning architect with over 30 years of experience, Blaik has led projects throughout the United States, with a primary focus in Texas, as well as in Africa, Europe and South America. With extensive experience in business research, marketing and pursuit strategy, client engagement, relationship building, and project and studio leadership, Blaik delivers exceptional value to clients through all phases of a project. His career has focused on civic, commercial, corporate, and education project types.
Blaik has a Bachelor of Architecture in Design from Texas Tech University, and he is a registered architect in Texas. As Senior Principal of Design Operations, he oversees design operations across KAI, leading initiatives that strengthen collaboration, standardize processes and improve project delivery throughout the firm. He is instrumental in identifying efficiencies, implementing best practices, and enhancing KAI’s design capabilities to support continued growth and excellence across all markets. His notable project experience includes The Black Academy of Arts & Letters (TBAAL) in Dallas, TX; The Azure in Dallas, TX; and Halliburton’s Regional Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
“These recent promotions and KAI’s formal recognition of Blaik, Brien, Catherine and Derwin reflect the positive impact to our Design business that each have contributed. Their collective impact to our culture, practice, design & technical excellence, client satisfaction, and industry awareness has proven significant,” said KAI Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA. “While each bring their own set of unique skills and passion to our company, they all showcase commitment to our core value and our mission of Transforming Communities. KAI Design is in excellent hands with this next evolution of key leaders.”